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Subject: Re: Isn't it an easy case?

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 08:30:54 12/01/03

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On December 01, 2003 at 11:23:09, Bob Durrett wrote:

>On December 01, 2003 at 11:00:16, Sven Reichard wrote:
>
>>On December 01, 2003 at 10:17:16, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>>>
>>>The operator made the decision to play on.  But the operator is _not_ allowed
>>>to make _any_ decisions while a game is in progress, as per the rules.
>>>Therefore this reasoning simply is unsound because it is based on rules that
>>>were not in effect.  The operator is passive.  He _always_ has been passive,
>>>at least when we go by the rules in force for these events.
>>>
>>
>>If he is always passive, I don't see the point of having an operator. Most
>>programs run on all-purpose hardware (maybe enhanced by some additional
>>circuits) with networking capabilities. Why not have the opponents communicate
>>directly, using a standard interface like xboard or UCI, maybe relayed via an
>>arbiter program? Then they can decide for themselves whether to offer or claim a
>>draw.
>>
>>If the GUI makes decisions for the engine, the combination GUI/engine should be
>>considered the competitor.
>>
>>Sven.
>
>My understand is that the operator is there for a good reason similar to why a
>wise tournament director must be there.  Chess computer tournaments are still
>evolving and humans need to be there to correct for errors or oversights of the
>programmers.

Crafty has played over 1 million games on chess servers with no problems.  We
want the operators there in case there is a network issue that causes a
disconnect, or a hardware problem that might require a reboot (very rare), and
to discuss things with other programmers.  We don't need operators to handle
normal "problems" as they simply don't happen.

>  When the available rule set fails to properly cover a new
>situation, humans must get involved.  Hopefully, their actions will be
>reasonable.  [Throwing a draw away would not be reasonable.]
>
>Bob D.



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